*Call of RemembranceLeader: When we remember the stockbrokers, office workers, maintenance workers, bystanders, window-washers and all the others who worked together so valiantly to help each other, we can say together:All: We remember great courage.Leader: When we recall the firefighters who rushed upstairs as most everyone else was racing out, we can say together,All: We remember selfless service.Leader: When we recall the police officers who stood to protect and defend the people and performed their duties until the towers came crashing down on top of them, we can say together,All: We remember selfless sacrifice for the safety of others.Leader: When we recall the thousands of workers, women and men and, old and young, single and married, American-born and those born in countries around the world who did not escape the buildings, we can say together,All: We remember the loss of human life.Leader: When we recall those citizens who rushed to help, did all they could to help, we can say together,All: We remember and give thanks for dutiful commitment to those in distress.Leader: When we recall the people who stood in line at the nation's blood banks to make living donations from their very bodies, we can say together,All: We give thanks for those who live on to pass on life and love.Leader: When we remember the millions of Americans who gave so generously of their life and labor to endow funds to help the survivors and their families recover from their losses, we can say together,All: We are grateful for generosity.Remembrance begins with deep, personal identification. It begins with remembering the affliction of our brothers and sisters, and marking their pain as our own. Remembrance is a sacred moment when we raise up and hold to the light of the eternal moment, the good who have passed.

Leader: In our sadness, horror and shock we acknowledge that our own fears turned murderous and we have sought revenge, sometimes against even the innocent.All: We confess and regret our own anger and recognize its dangers to our spirits, our health, our community, and others.Leader: In the midst of the aftermath of the events of September 11th, 2001 we have been tempted to seek only our own good, hear only our own truth, acknowledge only our own suffering.All: We know that peace will come to us and to our children only when the concerns of justice anywhere become the subject of political and social will everywhere, and that no justice leads to no peace.Leader: In striving for national security and domestic peace we run the risk of confusing might for right and participating in the very behaviors we condemn.All: Guard and guide our country that in our search for security we may not trample the rights of the innocent nor disregard the rule of law. Let us not confuse leadership within the global community as the voice for the whole community.Repentance means to turn away from wrong deeds. Repentance means choosing instead deeds which require moral restraint, and are more beneficial to all persons who suffer.

Leader: We recall with joy the unity we felt in the outpouring of help, kindness, thoughtful words and deeds from at home and around the world.All: We must hold firmly to our unity, borne forward now not of tragedy but of loving kindness.Leader: We place fresh confidence in international organizations and conversations that bring the diverse gifts of the world to the problems of poverty, injustice, terror and strife.All: We long for wise policies that forego short term gain for long term stability, justice and peace.Leader: In a year filled with tragedy we dare to hope for an era yet to come in which the slaughter of innocents, greed, the ambitions of power, and cultural, racial and religious bigotries are but memories of a dim and unenlightened past.

Unison Prayer:God of the ages, before your eyes all empires rise and fall yet you are changeless. Be near us in this age of terror and in these moments of remembrance. Uphold those who work and watch and wait and weep and love. By your Spirit give rise in us to broad sympathy for all the peoples of your earth. Strengthen us to comfort those who mourn and work in large ways and small for those things that make for peace. Bless the people and leaders of this nation and all nations so that warfare, like slavery before it, may become only a historic memory. We pray in the strong name of the Prince of Peace. Amen and Amen. --Liturgy by Rev. Eileen W. Lindner and Rev. Marcel A. Welty, National Council of Churches.

self-edit

Very poignant and lovingly thought out ..and shinging such a postive light on the selfless actions of so many people on that day.

Logged

"Commit a crime and the world is made of glass."Ralph Waldo Emerson 1841

All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. You created all that is, and with love formed us in your image. When our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You gave your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. All that we are, and all that we have, is a trust from you. Dearest Jesus we need a miracle -- we ask that you turn the shallow water of our living into the strong currents of true discipleship. Stem evil that flows around us and make holy and acceptable the work of our hands. Restore our ears to hear the promise of your Gospel, our eyes to see the wonders that your bounty has created, our tongues to sing hymns to your glory. But above all, rescue our spirits from the death that holds us fast so that we may walk in life and freedom -- free to serve you. Let us not forget your miracle on Calvary and your continuing power in our lives this very night. May each morning and each night be bathed in fresh forgiveness from you. We do not pray only for ourselves, we pray for all we love and know. And so in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer you ourselves, and all that we have, in union with Christís offering for us. By the Holy Spirit make us one and we ask you to bear our prayer to your Father and ours. Amen and Amen.

O God, whose name is worthy of unending praise, we bow before you in humble submission. Words fail to communicate the depth of love to you and our yearning to obey your will. Without your Spirit day follows day in aimless succession. Nothing can compare with the love you have shown us, not the tribute of leaders, the fame of achievement, the applause of friends and loved ones. We owe all to your mercy . . . we will praise you at all times and call upon your name.Hear us as we pray for cleansing . . . rid us of the vanity which clutters our thinking. Show us the Christ who taught self-denial. Help us to hear once again how the humble received mercy, the sick were healed, and those whom good people rejected were loved and forgiven.Increase our faith and save us from the need to boast of our own goodness. As we are quick to call on your for guidance when we are threatened, let us be eager to give you the glory for whatever we gain. Fill us anew with you Holy Spirit, so that our words may be your words, our work your work, and our glory your glory. You are the God of our salvation to whom belongs all the glory, praise, and honor, now and forevermore. Amen and Amen.

The signs of Christmas are all around Us Father. Every time we walk through the mall or go to a store or turn on television, the signs of Christmas overwhelm us. We see Santas on every corner; trees have been trimmed; gifts have been wrapped; the cash registers are ringing; cookies have been baked; packages have been mailed; the signs of Christmas are recognizable and are all around us. But God, what has happened to the first signs? The Star and the Angels and the Manger and the Baby? Our up-to-date society has hidden them, Father. Forgive us we Pray. Forgive us when we forget that the real reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of your Son and the sending of your love to us. Help us to be alert during the next week, ever looking for the star, ever ready to follow the shepherds to the manger, ever ready to lay our gifts at the feet of the Christ Child with the Wisemen. We recognize that this glorious season with all its good cheer also finds some who are in the depths of despair. Be near them, Father. This Christmas will find some chairs empty that were occupied last year; some hearts will long for loved ones no longer in our midst; some hearts will be filled with disappointment and some bodies will be racked with pain. Deal mercifully with your people, God and surround them with your Peace. Use us wherever and whenever You can and let us know the blessing of having served you. We Pray All These Things in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Our Father Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done on Earth as it Is in Heaven. Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread. And Forgive Us Our Trespasses as We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us. And Lead Us Not into Temptation but Deliver Us from Evil for Thine in the Kingdom and the Honor and the Glory Forever. Amen and Amen.

Another year is about to begin. Father, we thank you. We never know what the moment will bring to us, but we do know that the hour for serving you is now. We donít know what 2012 will bring us, but we do know you will provide opportunity after opportunity for us to witness to your love and your forgiveness. As we pause to give you thanks for caring for us through the past year, we would ask for your abiding grace and continued companionship throughout the year to come. O God, may we be constantly listening for your voice . . . may we be constantly watching for your hands showing us what we must do . . . may we be ever alert for your spirit to be walking by our sides . . . calling us to do your work in our communities and in our world. Amen and Amen.

All-knowing God, you discern our thoughts and are acquainted with all our ways; before a word is on our lips, you know it altogether. You lay your hand upon in the call of Christ our Savior. You fill us with your Holy Spirit, who leads us by your wisdom and counsel. You guide us throughout our journeyís length, forgiving our waywardness, equipping us to serve you, and fulfilling our needs. Nothing we can do escapes your eye; there is nowhere we can hide from you. You are within and without, before us and beyond us. O God of our being, we give you praise and thanksgiving.Hasten the day when our love for you matches your mercy toward us. Enlarge our hearts to the dimensions of your mercy, and help us to return to you a measure of the love you give to us. Purify our souls with your continuing assurance of pardon, and save us from our love of idols and vain display. Strengthen us whereby we may serve you more effectively and glorify your name through obedience to Christ.Give us the mind of Christ as we look upon our neighbor. Keep us from passing by those whom society overlooks. Plant indelibly on our hearts the plight of the homeless, the forsaken, and the poor. Lend us a portion of your grace as we seek to life them from despair; cause their fainting spirits to feel the gentle embrace of Jesus our Savior, who came that all may have life and have it abundantly. Amen and Amen.

Hear our prayers, dear Jesus. Those whom we love are in the hospital . . . those whom we love are in the nursing homes . . . those whom we love have had the angels of death call upon them . . . those whom we love have become confused . . . those whom we love have lost their way and are not following in your way . . . be with those whom we love, faithful Jesus. Walk with them . . . strengthen them . . . comfort them . . . heal them . . . and take them as your own. Bless all of us whom you have called to work in this vineyard . . . we bow before you seeking your guidance as we try to determine your will for us and then try to complete your assigned tasks. Help us to recognize your voice when you call . . . help us to recognize your direction when you point . . . and then give us the courage and the faith to know that if we follow you, we will always succeed . . . to your glory. Forgive us all our sins as you have promised. Help us to have the faith to accept that promise as well as all your other promises . . . we pray these things as you taught us... OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD. AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER. AMEN and AMEN.

God of the hilltops and of low places, Revealer at Sinai and Reassuring One of the valley of the shadow of death, we need you here. You have created us and give life to all things, but we have chased after other gods and ridiculed those who practice their faith too seriously. We have tried to put you to the test, but have not wanted to be tested ourselves. We place conditions on our belief and limit our trust while the One you sent to love us is rejected, tortured, and killed. O God, what have we done! Is it too late to be a disciple? Hear our cry! Amen and Amen.

Most Holy God, you know our every thought and deed; our lives are not hid from you. You dwell in the heights, yet you stoop to hear us; you inhabit the depths, yet you rise to support our efforts to serve you. You encompass the whole of creation and are yet concerned for our needs. All praise to you, eternal God; we honor and glorify your holy name. Amen and Amen.

Call to PrayerPastor: Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a good father. People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support. People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children's lives.People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing. People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their step children's love and respect. People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart. People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own. People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides. People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.People: we pray to the Lord . . .Pastor: God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this in the name of the One who spoke your Word, who obeyed your Word, who is your Word, ever our Lord and Saviour. Amen and Amen. written by Kirk Loadman with adaption by OC

Hear our prayers, dear Lord . . . from the time of Adam, we have disobeyed you, Father. Each of us in our own way have discovered new way to denounce your name and to forget your ways. Even though you sent your son, Jesus to die for us and to be the final atonement for all our sins, we even forget that and go our merry way, making our own rules and selfishly creating our own world. Forgive us Father for all our sins.As you have intervened in our lives, Lord, we pray this moment for you to intervene in the lives of those whom we love. Some are lying in pain this moment . . . some are frustrated because their lives arenít going the way they had planned . . . some are disappointed because someone they love has betrayed them and walked out of their lives . . . some have been deserted by their friends . . . but whatever the problem, let them know of your love and your forgiveness . . . let them be aware of your presence and grant them your peace. Amen and Amen.